Method of configuring blood circuit for medical application and configuration apparatus therefore

ABSTRACT

In a method of configuring a blood circuit for medical application, one unit component is selected for each of the divided unit sections and the selected unit components are combined to configure a blood circuit component. A blood circuit system database in which data with respect to the unit sections and unit components are stored is used. On the basis of the database, the selected unit component input to the computer. An assembly drawing of the blood circuit obtained by combining the selected unit components, a full length and an amount of filled blood are displayed on a display by using the database. When the displayed assembly drawing etc. is not fit for the desired specification, the selection of the unit component is changed, so as to display again the assembly drawing etc. of the blood circuit.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of configuring a bloodcircuit for medical application. In more detail, it relates to a methodof configuring a desired blood circuit for medical application on acomputer by systematizing many components constituting the blood circuitinto a plurality of unit sections and selecting a component in each unitsection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A blood circuit for medical application includes a blood circuitused for, for example, a dialysis. The dialysis requires not only adialyzer but also a blood circuit for connecting a patient to thedialyzer. Conventionally, this blood circuit for dialysis varies inspecifications depending upon users, i.e., hospitals, doctors, orlaboratory technicians. That is, most of the conventional blood circuitsare customized for individual users and do not have general versatility.Actually, a large number of different kinds of blood circuit systems areemployed.

[0003] Since such blood circuits are customized for individual users,the cost is high and it takes a long time to deliver the products tousers. In other words, it takes a long time to configure a circuit byrepeating trials and errors, which may lead to increased cost. A moreimportant problem is that a dialysis technique is dependent on theexperience of in the individual person in charge such as a doctor, alaboratory technician, etc., and a method of connecting each machine tothe circuit system and a method of using the circuit system are notsystematized. Therefore, a circuit system may be changed subjectively bythe individual person in charge. Furthermore, compatibility betweendifferent products is not established. Thus, there are problems insafety as a product used directly on the human body. Examples of suchproblems are a safety problem, for example, failure in fitting of a toolsuch as an indwelling needle, etc. that is connected to the circuit, anda lack of versatility, that is, because of a difference in length evenon the order of only several centimeters, such an apparatus has to beproduced based on a different standard.

[0004] On the other hand, with the stability of the performance ofdialyzers in recent years, the safety of blood circuits, ease of using,and economical efficiency are becoming problems. In order to solve suchproblems, it is urgently demanded to standardize various componentsconstituting a blood circuit and to provide the stability in quality,convenience, and rapidity in configuring a circuit.

[0005] With respect to the demand, JP63 (1988)-95063A proposes that eachcomponent is integrated into one piece of a packaged system. However,this proposal has disadvantages in that equipment being connected to thecircuit system has less versatility, and that the system is not usedconveniently.

[0006] Furthermore, there are about 3400 types of blood circuits only inJapan. Conventionally, problems with respect to the conveniences inusing, for example, length, location of parts, etc., are adjusted bytrial and error and samples are made and attached to a dialyzer. Inother words, the adjustments have been carried out by using a realmachine.

[0007] In order to make samples, it is necessary to make a standarddrawing and often calculate the amount of filled blood or length basedon the standard drawing. If defects are detected in the test by the useof real machines, there is a bother to start again from the formation ofstandard drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method ofeasily configuring a blood circuit for medical applications, which iscapable of configuring a blood circuit in accordance with theapplications.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a methodof configuring a blood circuit for medical applications, which iscapable of checking efficiently whether the circuit is fit for a desiredspecification or not, or capable of efficiently correcting the bloodcircuit configuration without actually assembling a sample, and anapparatus used for the configuring method.

[0010] In the method of configuring the blood circuit for medicalapplication of the present invention, a blood circuit system is formedby dividing a blood circuit into a plurality of sections and preparing aplurality of selectable unit components for at least one unit section.By selecting at least one unit component from each unit section andcombining the selected unit components, an individual blood circuit isconfigured. For configuration, the method includes using a blood circuitsystem database in which data with respect to the unit sections and theunit components contained in the blood circuit system are stored,inputting one of the unit sections on a basis of the blood circuitsystem database as an assigned unit section to the computer, extractingthe data of a plurality of the corresponding unit components from theblood circuit system database by the computer based on the inputassigned unit section and displaying the extracted data on a display,and inputting one component selected from the displayed unit componentsas a selected unit component to the computer. After carrying out theabove-mentioned procedures in the necessary unit section, by the use ofthe blood circuit system database, an assembly drawing showing an entireconfiguration of the blood circuit obtained by combining the inputselected unit components and at least one of a full length of the bloodcircuit or an amount of filled blood are displayed on a display. Then, acommand for changing the selection of the unit components or a commandfor determining the configuration of the blood circuit is input to thecomputer.

[0011] According to this method, by only selecting the unit component inaccordance with the unit section, it is possible to configure the bloodcircuit in accordance with the applications easily. Moreover, withoutconstructing a real sample of the blood circuit, it is possible to checkwhether the circuit is fit for the desired specification or not.Furthermore, in a case where the sample is not fit for the desiredspecification, only by changing the selection of the unit components, itis possible to check whether the reconfigured sample is fit for thedesired specification promptly. Since the blood circuit system can beproduced by dividing a plurality of reasonable unit sections from theviewpoint of techniques in dialysis, it is possible to clarifyindividual features of each unit component. Therefore, it is useful toselect unit components appropriately in accordance with theapplications.

[0012] The above-mentioned method of configuring a blood circuit formedical application further includes, after the procedure of inputtingthe selected unit components to the computer, selectively eitherreturning to the procedure for inputting the assigned unit section orinputting a selection terminating command for terminating the input ofthe selected unit components and going to the following procedures; whenthe selection terminating command is input, if there is any unit sectionwith no selected unit component input, returning to the procedure ofinputting the assigned unit section; and if the selected unit componenthas been input in all the unit sections, going to the followingprocedures, and if the selection of the unit component is to be changed,returning to the procedures of inputting the assigned unit section.

[0013] In the above-mentioned method, if the command of determining theconfiguration of the blood circuit is input, based on the blood circuitsystem database, the price of the blood circuit obtained by combiningeach selected unit component is displayed on the display.

[0014] Furthermore, it also is desirable that an existing standarddatabase in which a plurality of existing standards are stored is used,the existing standard being a plurality of the combination of unitcomponents constituting an existing specific blood circuit, and when anassembly drawing, a full length of the blood circuit and an amount offilled blood are displayed, the existing standard being analogous to theconfiguration of the displayed blood circuit is retrieved and displayedas an analogous standard. Thus, when the existing standard that complieswith a desired specification is present, it is not necessary to producea blood circuit based on a new standard, and thus, the blood circuit canbe produced efficiently and economically.

[0015] Another method of configuring a blood circuit for medicalapplication of the present invention includes a blood circuit systemthat is the same as the above, and uses a similar blood circuit systemdatabase. The method includes: inputting set conditions including aprice with respect to the blood circuit to be configured to thecomputer; and extracting a predetermined range of candidates of thecombinations of the unit components from the blood circuit systemdatabase based on the degree of the compliance with the input setconditions. A list of the candidates of the combinations of theextracted unit components is displayed on a display, and a selectedassignment of one combination selected from the candidates of thedisplayed combinations is input to the computer. Next, an assemblydrawing of an entire configuration of the blood circuit obtained bycombining the selected unit components and at least one of a full lengthof the blood circuit or an amount of filled blood are displayed on thedisplay in accordance with the input of the selected assignment by theuse of the blood circuit system database.

[0016] According to this method, it is possible to determine thecombinations of unit components constituting a blood circuit easilybased on the set conditions from an economical viewpoint or a productiveviewpoint.

[0017] In the above-mentioned method, it also is desirable that anexisting standard database in which a plurality of the existingstandards are stored is used, the existing standard being a plurality ofthe combination of the unit components constituting an existing specificblood circuit. When the candidates of the combinations of the unitcomponents are extracted, an existing standard of the combination havinga high degree of the compliance with the set conditions are extractedalso from the existing standard database and added to the predeterminedrange of the candidates of the unit components.

[0018] A first apparatus for configuring a blood circuit for medicalapplication of the present invention is an apparatus for configuring ablood circuit for medical application based on the blood circuit system,and includes the above-mentioned blood circuit system database. Theapparatus further includes a unit section assignment portion forinputting one unit section on the basis of the blood circuit systemdatabase as an assigned unit section; a unit component display portionfor extracting data of a plurality of the unit components correspondingto the input assigned unit section and displaying the extracted data; aunit component selection portion for inputting one unit componentselected from the displayed unit components, maintaining the data of theselected unit component of all the unit sections, and supplying themaintained data as data of the combination of the selected unitcomponents; and an assembly drawing etc. display portion for displayingan assembly drawing and at least one of a full length of the bloodcircuit or an amount of filled blood on the display. In the apparatus,the data of the selected unit component in the unit component selectingportion can be changed by assigning the unit section in the unit sectionassignment portion.

[0019] It is desirable that the apparatus having the above-mentionedconfiguration further includes an existing standard database in which aplurality of the existing standards are stored, the existing standardbeing the combination of the unit components constituting an existingspecific blood circuit, an analogous standard retrieving portion forretrieving a blood circuit that is analogous to the combination of theselected unit components from the existing standard database on a basisof the data supplied from the unit component selection portion, and ananalogous standard selection portion having a function of selecting onefrom the retrieved existing standards by the analogous standardretrieving portion, and instead of in the unit component selectionportion, supplying the data of the combinations of the selected unitcomponents on the basis of the selected existing standard to theassembly drawing etc. display portion.

[0020] A second apparatus for configuring a blood circuit for medicalapplication of the present invention, similar to the first apparatus, isan apparatus for configuring a blood circuit based on theabove-mentioned blood circuit system and includes: the above-mentionedblood circuit system database. Furthermore, the second apparatusincludes a set conditions input portion for inputting the set conditionsincluding a price with respect to the blood circuit to be configured; aretrieved combination candidate display portion for, by the use of theblood circuit system database, retrieving candidates of the combinationsof the unit components based on the degree of the compliance with theinput set conditions, extracting the predetermined range of theretrieved candidates of the combinations of the unit components, anddisplaying the extracted candidates of the combinations; a selectionassignment portion for selecting and supplying one of the candidates ofthe combinations of the extracted unit components to an assembly drawingetc. display portion as data of the combinations of the selected unitcomponents; and an assembly drawing etc. display portion for displayingan assembly drawing showing an entire configuration of the blood circuitand at least one of a full length of the blood circuit or an amount offilled blood on the display by the use of the blood circuit systemdatabase on the basis of the data of the combinations of the selectedunit components.

[0021] It is desirable that the apparatus having this configurationfurther includes an existing standard database in which a plurality ofthe existing standards are stored, the existing standard being thecombination of the unit components constituting an existing specificblood circuit, wherein the retrieved combination candidate displayportion retrieves the existing standard database together with the bloodcircuit system database.

[0022] Furthermore, it is desirable that the apparatus for configuringthe blood circuit includes the above-mentioned first apparatus and thesecond apparatus and includes an operation selection portion forselecting any one of an operation by the unit section assignment portionor an operation by the set conditions input portion.

[0023] In the method of configuring the blood circuit for medicalapplication or a configuration apparatus mentioned above, the bloodcircuit for medical application is a blood circuit for dialysis and theblood circuit is divided into an artery side circuit and a vein sidecircuit, further each of the artery side circuit and the vein sidecircuit is divided into a plurality of unit sections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing a method of configuring a bloodcircuit for medical application according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for configuring ablood circuit for medical application according to the first embodimentof the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a method of configuring a bloodcircuit for medical application according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0027]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for configuring ablood circuit for medical application according to the second embodimentof the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for configuring ablood circuit for medical application according to a third embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0029]FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example of unit sections of ablood circuit for medical application according to the presentinvention.

[0030]FIGS. 7A to 7F are plan views showing examples of unit componentsapplied to a unit section A.

[0031]FIGS. 8A to 8D are plan views showing examples of unit componentsapplied to a unit section B.

[0032]FIGS. 9A to 9D are plan views showing examples of unit componentsapplied to a unit section C.

[0033]FIGS. 10A to 10C are plan views showing examples of unitcomponents applied to a unit section D.

[0034]FIGS. 11A to 11D are plan views showing examples of unitcomponents applied to a unit section E.

[0035]FIGS. 12A to 12B are plan views showing examples of unitcomponents applied to a unit section F.

[0036]FIGS. 13A to 13D are plan views showing examples of unitcomponents applied to a unit section G.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] (First Embodiment)

[0038]FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing a method of configuring a bloodcircuit for medical applications of a first embodiment. This method isemployed for, for example, a blood circuit system shown in FIGS. 6 to13.

[0039]FIG. 6 shows one example of a formation of unit sections in ablood circuit system for dialysis. In this system, the blood circuit isdivided into an artery side circuit and a vein side circuit. Each of theartery side circuit and the vein side circuit is further divided so asto form unit sections A to G. Herein, the artery side circuit denotes acircuit constituting a portion between a connection portion of anindwelling needle at the artery side and a connection portion of adialyzer when a dialysis is carried out. On the other hand, the veinside circuit denotes a circuit constituting a portion between aconnection portion of the dialyzer and a connection portion of anindwelling needle side at the vein side when dialysis is carried out. Asshown in FIGS. 7 to 13, each unit section is provided with a pluralityof selectable unit components, for example, a unit component A-1, a unitcomponent A-2, etc. Each unit component is usually composed of aplurality of components. The definition of each unit section and thefeatures of each unit section are described hereafter.

[0040] In the thus configured blood circuit system, at least one unitcomponent is selected from the unit sections A to G, and the selectedunit components are combined so as to configure a blood circuit. FIG. 1shows a method of combining unit components efficiently and properly bythe use of a computer in configuring the blood circuit in this way. Thisembodiment will be explained with reference to the blood circuit systemsshown in FIGS. 6 to 13.

[0041] In order to carry out this configuring method, a blood circuitsystem database in which data with respect to unit sections and unitcomponents contained in a blood circuit system are stored is constructedon a computer. The contents contained in the data includes, for example,a shape, size, data related to a production cost, etc. of each unitcomponent classified in each unit section.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 1, first, by using a blood circuit systemdatabase, one section is selected from the unit sections A to G shown inFIG. 6 and the selected section is input to the computer as an assignedunit section (step S101). Based on the input assigned unit section, aplurality of the corresponding unit components are retrieved from theblood circuit system database and displayed on a display (step S102).One unit component is selected from the displayed unit components andinput as the selected unit component (step S103).

[0043] Next, selection is carried out between returning to step S101 orgoing to step S104.

[0044] In the case of returning to step S101, the selected unitcomponent is input by assigning an unselected unit section in which noselected unit component is input. In this way, one unit component isselected appropriately in each unit section from a plurality of thestored unit component data. By repeating this procedures, unitcomponents are selected for all the unit sections A to G. Alternately,it is also possible to assign the previously selected unit section againso as to change the selection of unit components.

[0045] In step S104, a selection terminating command is input forterminating the input of the selected unit components. When theselection terminating command is input, the processing splits dependingupon whether an unselected unit section is present or not (step S105).When an unselected unit section is present, the processing is returnedto the procedure for inputting the assignment of the unit section (stepS101), and when the selected unit component is input for all theselected unit sections, the processing goes to the following procedure(step S106).

[0046] In step S106, based on the blood circuit system database, anassembly drawing showing an entire configuration of the blood circuit inwhich the selected unit components are combined, and a full length ofthe blood circuit and the amount of filled blood are displayed on adisplay. The assembly drawing, the full length of the blood circuit andthe amount of filled blood are formed or calculated each time based onthe data of each unit component. Alternately, it is possible to preparein advance, all the sets of an assembly drawing, a full length of theblood circuit and the amount of filled blood corresponding to all thecombinations of the unit components and display one of the setsaccording to the selected unit components. Among the contents to bedisplayed, the assembly drawing is essential, but at least one of thefull length and the amount of filled blood may be displayed togetherwith the assembly drawing.

[0047] Next, a processing is selected based on whether the configurationof the displayed blood circuit is corrected or not, i.e., the selectedunit components are changed or not. Whether the configuration of theblood circuit is corrected or not is judged by verifying conditions, forexample whether the constructed blood circuit has a length fit for thedialyzer to be used or not, or the amount of filled blood is appropriateor not, etc. Therefore, in step S106, as the full length and the amountof filled blood are displayed together with the assembly drawing, theverification can be carried out efficiently. Furthermore, in addition tothe above-mentioned items, if the total weight, volume (bulk) and thelike are displayed, it is possible to consider so as to allow the amountof waste to be reduced.

[0048] When the configuration of the blood circuit is to be corrected,the above-mentioned procedures are repeated by returning to theprocedure for inputting the assignment of a unit section (step S101).When the configuration of the blood circuit is not to be corrected, acommand for determining the configuration of the blood circuit is inputto the computer (step S107). When the command of determining theconfiguration of the blood circuit is input, based on the blood circuitsystem database, the price of the blood circuit in the combination ofselected unit components is calculated and displayed on the display(step S108). Thus, it is possible to investigate the constructed bloodcircuit from the economical aspect. However, step 108 is not anessential step for this embodiment.

[0049] According to the above-mentioned method, by only selecting theunit component with respect to the unit section, it is possible toconfigure the blood circuit in accordance with the applications easily.Moreover, without constructing the sample actually, it is possible tocheck whether the circuit is fit for the desired specification or not.Furthermore, if the circuit is not fit for the desired specification,only by changing the selection of the unit component for a part of theunit section, the compliance with the reconfigured blood circuit can bechecked promptly.

[0050] Moreover, it is more effective to construct and use an existingstandard database in addition to the blood circuit system database. Theexisting standard is defined as the combination of the unit componentsconstituting the existing specific blood circuit. The existing standarddatabase is constructed by storing a plurality of such existingstandards. Thus, for example, the existing standard analogous to theconfiguration of the blood circuit displayed in step S106 is retrievedand displayed as an analogous standard. If the analogous standard ishighly compliant with the desired specification, instead of configuringa new blood circuit, the existing blood circuit is selected. Therefore,since it is not necessary to make a new standard, and it is possible toprovide a blood circuit more efficiently and more economically.

[0051]FIG. 2 shows an apparatus for configuring a blood circuit formedical applications for carrying out the above-mentioned method.Numeral 201 denotes a blood circuit system database. A unit sectionassignment portion 202 has a function of inputting one of the unitsections based on the blood circuit system database 201 as a assignedunit section. In a unit component display portion 203, data of aplurality of unit components corresponding to the input assigned unitsection are extracted from the blood circuit system database 201 anddisplayed on a display (not shown). A unit component selection portion204 has a function of selecting one of the unit components, displayed bythe unit component display portion 203, inputting the selected componentand maintaining the data of the selected unit component for all the unitsections. By repeating the procedures by the unit section assignmentportion 202, the unit component display portion 203 and the unitcomponent selection portion 204, the selection of the unit component iscarried out for all the unit sections. The change of the unit componentthat was once selected is carried out by assigning the unit section tobe changed again by the unit component assignment portion 202. Theselected data maintained in the unit component selection portion 204 issupplied as the data of the combination of the selected unit component.

[0052] An assembly drawing etc. display portion 205 displays an assemblydrawing, a full length of the blood circuit, and an amount of filledblood based on the data of the combination of the selection unitcomponents supplied from the unit component selection portion 204 by theuse of the blood circuit system database 201. In accordance with thedisplayed contents such as the assembly drawing, etc., if necessary, asmentioned above, starting from the operation by the unit sectionassignment section 202, the data of the selected unit in the unitcomponent selection portion 204 is changed. As to the resultantreconfigured blood circuit, the assembly drawing, etc. can be displayedimmediately.

[0053]FIG. 2 shows an existing standard database 206, an analogousstandard retrieving portion 207 and an analogous standard selectionportion 208 in addition to the above-mentioned basic configuration.

[0054] As mentioned above, the existing standard database 206 is definedas the combination of the unit component constituting the existingspecific blood circuit. The existing standard database is constructed bystoring a plurality of such existing standards. The analogous standardretrieving portion 207 retrieves the blood circuit analogous to thecombination of the selected unit components from the existing database206 based on the data supplied from the unit component selection portion204. An analogous standard selection portion 208 has a function ofselecting one from the plurality of existing standards retrieved by theanalogous standard retrieving portion 207 and supplies the combinationdata of the selected unit components instead of the data supplied fromthe unit component selection portion 204 to the assembly drawing etc.display portion 205.

[0055] Second Embodiment

[0056]FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a method of configuring a bloodcircuit for medical application of the second embodiment of the presentinvention. According to the method shown in FIG. 3, unlike the methodshown in the first embodiment, a unit component is not selected for eachunit section. Instead, conditions such as price etc. are input first,and then the combinations of the unit components satisfying theconditions are extracted from the blood circuit system database, andthus the blood circuit is configured.

[0057] Furthermore, the existing standard database described in thefirst embodiment is constructed and used together with the blood circuitsystem database. However, this existing standard database is notessential for this embodiment, and therefore can be omitted.

[0058] In FIG. 3, first, the set price of the blood circuit is input(step S301). At the same time, it is desirable that in addition to theset price, other set conditions, for example, necessary quantities,desirable delivery period, specification of the circuit and the like canbe input.

[0059] Next, based on the input set conditions, some of the combinationsof the unit components having the highest compliance with the setconditions are extracted by retrieving the blood circuit system database(step S302). The number of extracted combinations may be limited to theappropriate number by giving a higher priority to the combination havinghigher degree of compliance. Furthermore, the system may be constructedin a manner such that the retrieval is carried out based on the limiteditem (number) of the above-mentioned set conditions and predeterminedpriority of the items.

[0060] Furthermore, at the same time, from the existing standarddatabase, one having a higher compliance with the set conditions isextracted (step S303). The reason why the retrieving is also carried outin the existing standard is because if the blood circuit is selectedfrom the existing standard it is possible to produce an apparatus in ashort time and because the use of the existing unit components canreduce the price.

[0061] Next, the retrieved results are displayed as a candidate list(step S304). From the displayed candidates, the combination of the unitcomponents is selected appropriately (step S305). Based on the selectedcombination, like in the case of FIG. 1, an assembly drawing, the lengthof the circuit and the amount of filled blood are displayed on thedisplay (step S306). When the content of the displayed blood circuit iswithin the acceptable range with respect to the set conditions of theblood circuit, an input for determining the configuration of the circuit(step S307) is carried out.

[0062] By the method mentioned above, it is possible to determine easilythe combination of the unit components constituting the blood circuit,based on the requirements from the economical aspect or productivityaspect.

[0063]FIG. 4 shows an apparatus for configuring a blood circuit formedical application for carrying out the above-mentioned method. Theblood circuit system database 201, the assembly drawing etc. displayportion 205, and the existing standard database 206 are the same as inFIG. 2.

[0064] A set conditions input portion 401 has a function for inputtingthe set conditions such as prices, etc. with respect to the bloodcircuit to be configured. In the combination candidate retrievingdisplay portion 402, candidates of the combinations of the unitcomponents based on the degree of compliance with the input setconditions by the use of the blood circuit system database 201 areextracted and displayed. The number of the candidates of thecombinations of the extracted unit components is limited to anappropriate number by giving a higher priority to higher compliance. Theselection assignment portion 403 has a function of selecting one fromthe candidates of the combinations of the extracted unit components andsupplying the extracted candidate to assembly drawing etc. displayportion 205 as the data of the combinations of the selected unitcomponents. As mentioned above, a blood circuit is configured based onthe set conditions input from the set conditions input portion 401.

[0065] In addition to the basic functions, the retrieving of thecombination candidates by the combination candidate retrieving displayportion 402 is carried out also with respect to the existing standarddatabase 206. Namely, the existing standard having a high compliancewith the set conditions is extracted and displayed together with the newcombination.

[0066] Third Embodiment

[0067] It is more practical to configure an apparatus capable of usingselectively the method of the first embodiment and the second embodimentinstead of using a single method. That is, the configuration method ofthe blood circuit includes the case where the circuit is intended to beset from the specification of the circuit, and the case where theconfiguration of the circuit is intended to be selected from theeconomical aspect such as a price. It is desirable to comply withrequests of both cases. Furthermore, by using two methods selectively,it is possible to configure a blood circuit efficiently by taking notonly the requirement as the function of the circuit but also theconditions from the business aspect or manufacturing aspect intoaccount.

[0068]FIG. 5 shows an apparatus capable of carrying out the twoprocesses, selectively. In this figure, the same element as that shownin FIGS. 2 and 4 is provided with the same reference numeral and theexplanation therefor is not repeated herein. Moreover, although in thisfigure, only the basic functional portions without using an existingstandard database are shown, it is possible to configure the apparatusso that the existing standard database further is used.

[0069] This apparatus is provided with an operation selection portion404 capable of selecting an operation by the unit section assignmentportion 202 or an operation by the set conditions input portion 401.When the operation by the unit section assignment portion 202 isselected, it is possible to configure the blood circuit by selecting theunit components in each unit section. On the other hand, when theoperation by the set conditions input portion 401 is selected, it ispossible to configure the blood circuit by appropriately selecting thecandidate of the combinations of the unit components based on the inputset conditions.

[0070] The following are explanations for the formation of the unitsections shown in FIG. 6 in the blood circuit system for medicalapplication used in the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0071] [Artery Side Circuit]

[0072] Unit section A: The unit section A includes a tube having acannula connector connected to an artery side indwelling needle as amain component and also includes a mixing/charging port and a lock-nutconnector or a non-locking connector.

[0073] Unit section B: The unit section B connects the unit section Aand a unit section C and includes a tube for adjusting the length as amain component. A branched tube connector that is connected to the belowmentioned unit section D or the unit section E is attached to the unitsection B.

[0074] Unit section C: The unit section C is located between the unitsection B and a dialyzer and includes a liquid feeding pump tubeattached directly to a negative pressure detection part and a blood pumpapparatus, an artery chamber, a dialyzer connector, and a branched tubeconnector. A pressure monitor line and a blood level adjusting line areconnected to the branched tube connector. A mixing/charging port may beprovided in the unit section C.

[0075] Unit section D: The unit section D is connected to the branchingtube connector of the unit section B or the unit section C, includes aconnector capable of being connected to a container containing a bloodanticoagulant and has a tube length that is adjusted to the settinglocation of the blood anticoagulant supply apparatus.

[0076] Unit section E: The unit section E is attached to the tip portionof the unit section A, the unit section B, or unit section C. The unitsection E is a line used for priming before dialysis or replacement of adrug solution during dialysis. The unit section E includes a connectorcapable of being connected to a needle for punctuating a drug solutioncontainer or other drug solution infusion tool, and a means foropening/closing the line.

[0077] [Vein Side Circuit]

[0078] Unit section F: The unit section F is located between the unitsection G and a dialyzer, and includes a vein changer being selectableby the dialysis conditions, such as the nature of blood, flow rate ofblood or the like, a pressure monitor line, a liquid level adjustingline, and a mixing/charging port.

[0079] Unit section G: The unit section G includes a cannula connectorconnected to a vein side indwelling needle as a main component, andfurther includes selection units of a plurality of tube diameters, amixing/charging port, a lock-nut connector or a non-locking connector.

[0080] The following are explanations of the examples of each unitcomponent applied to the unit sections A to G.

[0081] (Unit Section A)

[0082]FIGS. 7A and 7D show the unit components applied to the unitsection A. The unit component A-1 shown in FIG. 7A includes an arteryside cannula connector 1, a cover 2 for the artery side cannulaconnector 1, a blood collecting mixing/charging port 4 and a tubeconnecting between the artery side cannula connector 1 and the bloodcollecting mixing/charging port 4. The artery side cannula connector 1is used for being connected to a scalpel connector such as an indwellingneedle inserted into a patient. The blood-collecting mixing/chargingport 4 is used for collecting blood for testing or for infusing a drugsolution.

[0083] The artery cannula connector 1 is covered with the cover 2 at thetime of priming and just before the dialysis, as shown in FIG. 7B hasthe cover 2 taken off and is connected to the indwelling needle 9 (seeFIG. 7C). Blood can be collected from the upper part 5 of themixing/charging port 4.

[0084] The unit component A-2 shown in FIG. 7D is provided with a locknut between the artery side cannula connector 1 and the mixing/chargingport 4 of the unit componentA-1. Numeral 8 denotes a connecting line.The lock nut 6 is temporarily fixed to a lock portion 7 when it is notused. However, as shown in FIG. 7E, it can be shifted to the location ofthe artery side cannula connector 1 by hand. Since the screw is providedinside the lock nut 6, it can be connected to the artery side cannulaconnector 1 so as to be locked to a winged indwelling needle 9 (see FIG.7F).

[0085] (Unit Section B)

[0086]FIGS. 8A to 8D show unit components applied to the unit section B.

[0087] First, a unit component B-1-1 is a resin tube 11 having a fulllength of about 600-1000 mm (FIG. 8A). A unit component B-1-2 is a resintube 12 having a full length of about 1000-1600 mm (FIG. 8).

[0088] In the case where the drug solution is replaced from the branchedtube branching for fluid replacement in this unit section B, as shown inthe unit component B-2-1 (FIG. 8) and the unit component B-2-2 (FIG.8D), a tube provided with a branched tube connector 13 is used.

[0089] (Unit Section C)

[0090]FIGS. 9A to 9D show the unit components useful for the unitsection C. A unit component C-1-1 (FIG. 9A) is provided with a pump tube21 having an outer diameter of 12 mm and a length of about 250-350 mm,and an artery chamber 23 including a mesh filter 24. The artery chamber23 is an element for pulling out the air entering the dialyzer in orderto prevent the contamination of the blood by air. Numeral 25 is abranched tube connector, 26 denotes a dialyzer connector, and 27 denotesa negative pressure detection portion. The negative pressure detectionportion 27 is a portion for informing abnormality when it is broken atthe time of deficiency in removing the blood during the dialysis. Thebranched tube connector 25 may be used only by attaching the liquidsolution replacement line or a drug solution infusion line.

[0091] A unit component C-1-2 (FIG. 9B) is provided with a pump tube 22having an outer diameter of 10 mm and a length of about 250-350 mm, andan artery chamber 23 including a mesh filter 24 like the unit componentC-1-1.

[0092] Similar to the unit component C-1-1, the unit component C-2-1(FIG. 9C) is provided with a pump tube 22 having an outer diameter of 12mm and a length of about 250-350 mm, and an artery chamber 29. However,in the unit component C-2-1, the artery chamber 29 does not have a meshfilter for miniaturization.

[0093] Similar to the unit component C-1-2, the unit component C-2-2(FIG. 9D) is provided with a pump tube 22 having an outer diameter of 10mm and a length of about 250-350 mm, and an artery chamber 29. However,in this component, the artery chamber 29 does not have a mesh filter forminiaturization.

[0094] In any of the types, a small-diameter tube 28 may be used for amain line so as to reduce the priming amount.

[0095] (Unit Section D)

[0096]FIGS. 10A to 10C show the unit components applied to the unitsection D.

[0097] A unit component D-1 (FIG. 10A) is an anticoagulant infusion lineprovided with a tube 31 having a full length of about 200-400 mm and anouter diameter of about 1.5-4 mm and a connector 34 that can beconnected to a container containing a blood anticoagulant. Theanticoagulant infusion line is used for infusing drug preventing thecoagulation of the blood during the dialysis. This unit component canprevent the excessive absorption of the drug solution due to negativepressure by arranging it behind the pump tube. For example, the unitcomponent can be connected to the branched tube connector 25 of the unitcomponent C-1-1 shown in FIG. 9A.

[0098] A unit component D-2 (FIG. 10B) is an anticoagulant infusion lineprovided with a tube 32 having a full length of about 400-600 mm and anouter diameter of about 1.5-4 mm and a connector 34 that can beconnected to a container containing a blood anticoagulant. The unitcomponent D-2 matches to a console set-up type syringe pump and is themost suitable for the general dialysis.

[0099] A unit component D-3 (FIG. 10C) is an anticoagulant infusion lineprovided with a tube 33 having a full length of about 600-1000 mm and anouter diameter of about 1.5-4 mm and a connector 34 that can beconnected to a container containing a blood anticoagulant.

[0100] (Unit Section E)

[0101]FIGS. 11A to 11D show the unit components applied to the unitsection E.

[0102] The unit component E-1-1 (FIG. 11A) is a straight type liquidreplacement line for a drug solution. Numeral 41 denotes a drip infusioncylinder, 42 denotes a roller clamp, and 43 denotes a connector portionthat is connected to a needle for puncturing a container for a drugsolution. This type is a line used in a manner in which it is attachedto the unit section B or C. The drip infusion cylinder 41 is provided sothat the flow state can be observed, and the roller clamp 42 is providedfor adjusting the flow rate.

[0103] A unit component E- 1-2 (FIG. 11B) is a Y-shaped liquidreplacement line and is provided with a Y-shaped branching line having astopper 44 and a connector 45.

[0104] A unit component E-1-3 (FIG. 11C) is a port for liquidreplacement and includes a stopper 44, a needle for puncturing a drugsolution container or a connector 45 capable of being connected toanother drug solution infusion tool.

[0105] A unit component E-2-1 (FIG. 11D) is a straight type liquidreplacement line having a connector 43 that is connected to a stopper 44and a needle for puncturing a drug solution container. Unlike theabove-mentioned three unit sections, this type is connected to the tipportion of the unit section A.

[0106] (Unit Section F)

[0107]FIGS. 12A and 12B show unit components fit for the unit section F.

[0108] A unit component F-1 (FIG. 12A) is a unit component having a veinchamber 51 having a length of about 100-150 mm and including a meshfilter 53. The vein chamber 51 is used for preventing the air fromentering when the purified blood is fed back to the body of a patient.Numeral 54 is a mixing/charging port, 55 denotes a connector connectedto a dialyzer, 56 denotes a pressure monitor connecting portion, and 57denotes a liquid level adjusting portion.

[0109] A unit component F-2 (FIG. 12B) has a vein chamber 52 including amesh filter 53 and has a length of about 100 to 170 mm.

[0110] (Unit Section G)

[0111]FIGS. 13A to 13D show the unit components fit for the unit sectionG.

[0112] A unit component G-1 (FIG. 13A) includes a vein side cannulaconnector covered with a cover 61 and a small-diameter tube 62 having afull length of about 1400-1800 mm and an inner diameter of about 3.5 mm.Similar to the artery side, a priming amount and waste can be reduced byusing the small-diameter tube. The vein side cannula connector is to beconnected to a scalpel connector such as an indwelling needle insertedinto a patient.

[0113] Similarly, a unit component G-2 (FIG. 13B) includes a vein sidecannula connector and a small-diameter tube 65 having a full length ofabout 1800-2400 mm and an inner diameter of about 3.5 mm. The unitcomponent G-2 further includes a blood connecting mixing/charging port64 and a lock nut 63.

[0114] Similarly, a unit component G-3 (FIG. 13C) includes a vein sidecannula connector and a large-diameter tube 66 having a full length ofabout 1400-1800 mm and an inner diameter of about 4.5 mm.

[0115] Similarly, a unit component G-4 (FIG. 13D) includes a vein sidecannula connector and a large-diameter tube 67 having a full length ofabout 1800-2400 mm and an inner diameter of about 4.5 mm, and furtherincludes a blood collecting mixing/charging port 64 and a lock nut 63.

[0116] Although, in FIGS. 13A to 13D, only four kinds of unit componentsare shown, the number of the unit components prepared in this examplebecomes 16, when calculated by combining all of the elements including asize of the inner diameter of the tube, the length of the tube,existence and nonexistence of the lock nut, and existence andnonexistence of the mixing/charging port. The number of the unitcomponents is greater as compared with the other unit section, however,the cannula connector is automatically determined by selecting the unitcomponent A, and also the length can be automatically determined byselecting the unit section B.

[0117] Moreover, it is preferable in the method of configuring a bloodcircuit for medical application that the number of the unit sections tobe divided is 4 to 10 in total, because the number in such a range issuitable to be divided. That is, the unit is divided into an artery sideand a vein side, and both the artery side circuit and the vein sidecircuit are respectively divided into a plurality of sections so as tobe provided with a variation. As a result, the blood circuit has four ormore of the unit sections. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of theadvantages in the safety and productivity, the number of the unitcomponents should be relatively small. Therefore, the number of the unitsections is at most 10 and desirably about 7.

[0118] Moreover, the number of the unit components included in each unitsection is desired to be in the range from 2 to 5 from the viewpoint ofthe variations and standard unification. Furthermore, it is particularlypreferable that the number of the unit components including the veinside cannula connector is 2 to 20 and the number of the other unitcomponents is 2 to 5. The reason why the number of the number of theunit components including the vein side cannula connector is larger isbecause it is necessary to prepare the different kinds of tubes havingdifferent inner diameters with respect to the returning the blood and itis necessary to prepare the different kinds of tubes for the bloodcollection and the infusion of the drug solution at the vein side. Ingeneral, since the same type connectors are used for the artery sidecannula connector and the vein side cannula connector, the vein sidecomponent may be determined simultaneously by selecting a component atthe side of the artery side. Therefore, a large number of unitcomponents does not lead to the complication of the system necessarily.

[0119] As mentioned above, by configuring the blood circuit system whileconsidering the safety in the field of the medical field and theproduction site and the function in advance, the total standard of thecomplicated circuit can be integrated efficiently. Thereby, theautomation at the production site can be realized, to thus supplying theproducts chieply.

[0120] As mentioned above, according to the present invention, based onthe systematized blood circuit system, it is possible to configure theblood circuit in accordance with the application of use. Furthermore,the operation of checking the compliance with the desired specificationor not can carried out efficiently without assembling the sampleactually. Furthermore, in a case where it is not fit for the desiredspecification, the blood circuit is reconfigured by altering the unitcomponents, and checking thereof is carried out extremely easily.Furthermore, by displaying the entire circuit, the circuit can begrasped as a whole and necessary and unncessary elements can beconfirmed and the necessary elements can be prevented from missing.

[0121] The invention may be embodied in other forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof The embodimentsdisclosed in this application are to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not limitative, the scope of the invention is indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of configuring a blood circuit formedical application, the blood circuit being configured by forming ablood circuit system in which a blood circuit is divided into aplurality of unit sections and a plurality of selectable unit componentsare prepared for at least one unit section, selecting at least one unitcomponent from each unit section based on the formed blood circuitsystem, and combining the selected unit components; the methodcomprising: using a blood circuit system database in which data withrespect to the unit sections and the unit components contained in theblood circuit system are stored, inputting one of the unit sections on abasis of the blood circuit system database as an assigned unit sectionto the computer, extracting the data of a plurality of the correspondingunit components from the blood circuit system database by the computerbased on the input assigned unit section, and displaying the extracteddata on a display, inputting one component selected from the displayedunit components as a selected unit component to the computer, aftercarrying out the above-mentioned procedures in the necessary unitsection, by the use of the blood circuit system database, displaying anassembly drawing showing an entire configuration of the blood circuitobtained by combining the input selected unit components and at leastone of a full length of the blood circuit or an amount of filled bloodon a display, and then inputting a command for changing the selection ofthe unit components or a command for determining the configuration ofthe blood circuit in the computer.
 2. The method of configuring a bloodcircuit for medical application according to claim 1, furthercomprising, after the procedure of inputting the selected unitcomponents to the computer, selectively either returning to theprocedure for inputting the assigned unit section or inputting aselection terminating command for terminating the input of the selectedunit components and going to the following procedures, when theselection terminating command is input, if there is any unit sectionwith no selected unit component input, returning to the procedure ofinputting the assigned unit section, and if the selected unit componenthas been input in all the unit sections, going to the followingprocedures, and if the selection of the unit component is to be changed,returning to the procedures of inputting the assigned unit section. 3.The method of configuring a blood circuit for medical applicationaccording to claim 1, wherein if the command of determining theconfiguration of the blood circuit is input, based on the blood circuitsystem database, the price of the blood circuit obtained by combiningeach selected unit component is displayed on the display.
 4. The methodof configuring a blood circuit for medical application according toclaim 1, wherein an existing standard database in which a plurality ofexisting standards are stored is further used, the existing standardbeing the combination of the unit components constituting an existingspecific blood circuit, and when an assembly drawing, a full length ofthe blood circuit and an amount of filled blood are displayed, theexisting standard analogous to the configuration of the displayed bloodcircuit is retrieved and displayed as an analogous standard.
 5. A methodof configuring a blood circuit for medical application, the bloodcircuit being configured by forming a blood circuit system in which ablood circuit is divided into a plurality of unit sections and aplurality of selectable unit components are prepared for at least oneunit section, selecting at least one unit component from each unitsection based on the formed blood circuit system, and combining theselected unit components; the method comprising: using a blood circuitsystem database in which data with respect to the unit sections and theunit components contained in the blood circuit system are stored,inputting set conditions including a price with respect to the bloodcircuit to be configured to the computer, extracting a predeterminedrange of candidates of the combinations of the unit components from theblood circuit system database by the computer based on the degree ofcompliance with the input set conditions, displaying a list of thecandidates of the combinations of the extracted unit components on adisplay, inputting a selected assignment of one combination selectedfrom the candidates of the displayed combinations to the computer, anddisplaying an assembly drawing of an entire configuration of the bloodcircuit obtained by combining the selected unit components and at leastone of a full length of the blood circuit or an amount of filled bloodon the display in accordance with the input of the selected assignmentby the use of the blood circuit system database.
 6. The method ofconfiguring a blood circuit for medical application according to claim5, wherein an existing standard database in which a plurality ofexisting standards are stored is further used, the existing standardbeing the combination of the unit components constituting an existingspecific blood circuit, and when the candidates of the combinations ofthe unit components are extracted, an existing standard of thecombination having a high degree of the compliance with the setconditions are extracted also from the existing standard database andadded to the predetermined range of the candidates of the unitcomponents.
 7. An apparatus for configuring a blood circuit for medicalapplication, the blood circuit being configured by forming a bloodcircuit system in which a blood circuit is divided into a plurality ofunit sections and a plurality of selectable unit components are preparedfor at least one unit section, selecting at least one unit componentfrom each unit section based on the formed blood circuit system, andcombining the selected unit components, comprising: a blood circuitsystem database in which data with respect to the unit sections and theunit components contained in the blood circuit system are stored, a unitsection assignment portion for inputting one unit section on the basisof the blood circuit system database as an assigned unit section, a unitcomponent display portion for extracting data of a plurality of the unitcomponents corresponding to the input assigned unit section anddisplaying the extracted data on a display, a unit component selectionportion for inputting one unit component selected from the displayedunit components, maintaining the data of the selected unit components ofall the unit sections, and supplying the maintained data as data of thecombination of the selected unit components, and an assembly drawingetc. display portion of displaying an assembly drawing showing an entireconfiguration of the blood circuit and at least one of a full length ofthe blood circuit or an amount of a filled blood on the display by usingthe blood circuit system database based on the data of the combinationof the selected unit components, wherein the data of the selected unitcomponents in the unit component selection portion can be changed byassigning the unit section in the unit section assignment portion. 8.The apparatus for configuring a blood circuit component according toclaim 7, further comprising: an existing standard database in which aplurality of the existing standards are stored, the existing standardbeing the combination of the unit components constituting an existingspecific blood circuit, an analogous standard retrieving portion ofretrieving a blood circuit that is analogous to the combination of theselected unit components from the existing standard database on a basisof the data supplied from the unit component selection portion, and ananalogous standard selection portion having a function of selecting onefrom the retrieved existing standards by the analogous standardretrieving portion, and supplying, instead of in the unit componentselection portion, the data of the combinations of the selected unitcomponents on the basis of the selected existing standard to theassembly drawing etc. display portion.
 9. An apparatus for configuring ablood circuit for medical application, the blood circuit beingconfigured by forming a blood circuit system in which a blood circuit isdivided into a plurality of unit sections and a plurality of selectableunit components are prepared for at least one unit section, selecting atleast one unit component from each unit section based on the formedblood circuit system and combining the selected unit components;comprising: a blood circuit system database in which data with respectto the unit sections and the unit components contained in the bloodcircuit system are stored, a set conditions input portion for inputtingthe set conditions including a price with respect to the blood circuitto be configured, a retrieved combination candidate display portion for,by the use of the blood circuit system database, retrieving candidatesof the combinations of the unit components based on the degree of thecompliance with the input set conditions, extracting the predeterminedrange of the retrieved candidates of the combinations of the unitcomponents, and displaying the extracted candidates of the combinations,a selection assignment portion for selecting and supplying one of thecandidates of the combinations of the extracted unit components to anassembly drawing etc. display portion as data of the combinations of theselected unit components, and an assembly drawing etc. display portionfor displaying an assembly drawing showing an entire configuration ofthe blood circuit and at least one of a full length of the blood circuitor an amount of filled blood on the display by the use of the bloodcircuit system database on the basis of the data of the combination ofthe selected unit components.
 10. The apparatus for configuring a bloodcircuit component according to claim 9, further comprising: an existingstandard database in which a plurality of the existing standards arestored, the existing standard being the combination of the unitcomponents constituting an existing specific blood circuit, wherein theretrieved combination candidate display portion retrieves the existingstandard database together with the blood circuit system database. 11.An apparatus for configuring a blood circuit for medical applicationcomprising an apparatus according to claim 7 and an apparatus accordingto claim 9, and further comprising an operation selection portion forselecting any one of operations of either an operation by the unitsection assignment portion or an operation by the set conditions inputportion.
 12. The method of configuring a blood circuit for medicalapplication according to claim 1, wherein the blood circuit for medicalapplication is a blood circuit for dialysis, and the blood circuit isdivided into an artery side circuit and a vein side circuit and furthereach of the artery side circuit and the vein side circuit is dividedinto a plurality of unit sections.